Human Resource Officer

The Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) is one of the largest private, not-for-profit, non-denominational educational networks in the Global South. AKES currently operates over 190 pre-primary, primary, secondary and higher secondary schools and more than 100 non-formal education programmes in diverse geographic locations in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates. Most schools offer their respective country's national curricula, with some schools in East Africa and Bangladesh also offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). AKES employs over 6,500 teachers and staff and educates over 104,700 students. More information...The Aga Khan Education Service, Kenya (AKES, Kenya) operates 5 schools across Kenya, offering nursery to senior secondary education under national and international curricula. It is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private agencies improving living conditions and opportunities for all faiths and origins in developing regions.

We seek an organised, proactive, service-oriented Human Resources Officer for our Nairobi team. Reporting to the Head of HR, you will deliver operational HR support across the employee lifecycle, ensuring efficient services, legal compliance, and positive employee experience. Key areas: employee relations, performance management, benefits, records, attendance, statutory compliance, plus recruitment, onboarding, and learning & development support.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations, Performance Management & Compliance

• Support performance management cycles and improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate disciplinary, grievance, and other ER processes per policies and employment laws
• Manage separations (resignations, retirements, end-of-contract) and conduct exit interviews to identify trends.
• Provide first-line HR guidance to managers and staff on policies, procedures, laws, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, OSH Act, Data Protection Act, and other statutory requirements.
• Promote fair, consistent, confidential, and professional HR practices.

Learning & Development Support

• Support planning and coordination of training programmes, workshops, and learning initiatives
• Coordinate logistics, participant communication, and preparation of materials.
• Maintain training records and databases.
• Assist in evaluating training effectiveness and preparing reports.
• Support talent development and capacity-building initiatives.

Benefits & Compensation Administration

• Administer benefits: medical insurance, pension, Group Life Assurance, Group Personal Accident (GPA), and Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) benefits.
• Coordinate enrolments, changes, claims, and issue resolution with providers.
• Monitor service delivery against SLAs.
• Liaise with insurers, pension administrators, trustees, fund managers, and other external providers
• Maintain expatriate documentation and monitor immigration/statutory compliance.

Workforce Administration

• Monitor attendance and absenteeism, investigate exceptions with managers, and coordinate follow-ups.
• Administer leave records and ensure policy compliance.
• Prepare monthly HR reports on time and attendance.

Recruitment & Onboarding Support

• Support recruitment: coordinate vacancies, prepare adverts, arrange interviews, communicate with candidates, and prepare documentation.
• Assist interview panels with assessment materials, recording outcomes, and maintaining records
• Support pre-employment checks, reference verification, and employment documentation.
• Assist in preparing offers, contracts, and onboarding materials for new hires.

REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field from a recognised institution.
• Professional HR certification (CHRP, IHRM-K, SHRM, CIPD, or equivalent).
• Membership of the Institute of Human Resource Management Kenya (IHRM-K).
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience in in a Human Resources generalist or operations role.
• Experience working in an educational institution or a multi-location organisation – preferred.
• Sound knowledge of HR operations, best-practices and employment law in Kenya.
• Strong understanding of employee benefits administration, including pensions, insurance and statutory compliance.
• Skilled in performance management, employee relations and disciplinary procedures.
• Strong analytical ability to interpret HR data, trends and performance metrics.
• Excellent planning and time management skills with attention to detail.
• High integrity, confidentiality, and adherence to ethical standards.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust across all staff levels.